I saw HEALTH open for Of Montreal, and didn't understand the music.
However, I really really enjoyed the new single "Die Slow," and the hype has really started to get me hyped for something that seems like it could be a contender on many year-end lists. Here's to hoping the album is great!
I can't say that I don't understand the hype, but having not head "Die Slow," well, I don't see why this album would be much better than the last... Unless they grafted their dance tendencies onto their noise tendencies and expanded their sound a bit. Their Self-Titled album was more promising than anything, and it seemed a bit rudimentary, with the Drums-Not-Dead-Lite and Boredoms-Lite dismissals seeming to make a lot of sense.
Either way, I don't think it will top Gang Gang Dance's last album, which was the best fusion of dance and noise I can think of off the top of my head, but here's hoping this album surprises me.
Posts: 551 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
Originally posted by CleverName84: I can't say that I don't understand the hype, but having not head "Die Slow," well, I don't see why this album would be much better than the last... Unless they grafted their dance tendencies onto their noise tendencies and expanded their sound a bit. Their Self-Titled album was more promising than anything, and it seemed a bit rudimentary, with the Drums-Not-Dead-Lite and Boredoms-Lite dismissals seeming to make a lot of sense.
Either way, I don't think it will top Gang Gang Dance's last album, which was the best fusion of dance and noise I can think of off the top of my head, but here's hoping this album surprises me.
So you haven't heard "Die Slow"? That's your homework assignment. Suffice to say it was unexpected after the s/t album.
I'll say this though, if you go into something not wanting to like it, you probably won't. You might be wrong though.
I loved the first Health album. Listened to the new one in its entirety this morning for the first time. I will say that I need at least a second listen on something other than my computer speakers to give it a fair judgment. On first listen though it is good but not the major leap forward that I was expecting. The last track, "In Violet" was a major disappointment on first listen....seemed to go nowhere for six minutes and then just ended.
I'll give it a few more spins and see if it grows on me though....
Okay, so I listened to "Die Slow," several times, and that actually got me genuinely excited for the new album. The vocals are very MBV, and the track kind of has a shoegaze feel all around, except more in the red and with bizarre electronica going on. Wow, I'm genuinely surprised.
Posts: 551 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
Originally posted by Portable Joystick: So far I don't like it nearly as much as their first album.
Interesting. I like this one significantly better. first one wasn't bad, but there's more depth to this, imo.
Oh, I don't know about more depth. Like others have said, it has a sort of shoegaze-y tinge, so it might have a more layered sound in that sense. The first album had a more exciting, aggressive sound that jumped from the speakers. On Get Color several of the songs started out pretty cool with some jagged electronics, but soon enough they kind of drifted along and lost my attention.
Not that I find S/T to be brilliant or anything. I enjoyed it but I don't think it even made my top 20 that year. I'll give Get Color a couple more listens, we'll see.
Originally posted by Portable Joystick: [QUOTE]Originally posted by cuneyt81:
Oh, I don't know about more depth. Like others have said, it has a sort of shoegaze-y tinge, so it might have a more layered sound in that sense. The first album had a more exciting, aggressive sound that jumped from the speakers. On Get Color several of the songs started out pretty cool with some jagged electronics, but soon enough they kind of drifted along and lost my attention.
Not that I find S/T to be brilliant or anything. I enjoyed it but I don't think it even made my top 20 that year. I'll give Get Color a couple more listens, we'll see.
I'd say depth is the right word. More variety anyway. I certainly wouldn't have wanted a repeat of the first album. I think it keeps a lot of the elements that made the first one interesting but adds more to it. I mean, I can understand if you just don't care for it, I certainly can't fault you for that. But I feel like they've done something really cool on this one.
I don't know how to feel about this album. Part of me thinks it's a "safe" move to add that extra layer of guitars, but part of me thinks it might just be a very gradual and solid evolution in their sound. Let's face it, HEALTH conjured some titans on their self-titled album, so surpassing bands like Boredoms and Liars might be too high an expectation. On its own terms, though, this album makes a pretty damn fine addition to anyone's catalogue. And it actually does remind me a bit of last year's Saint Dymphna, except more racket going on and a little less woozy feeling.
The album is still soaking in, though, but I really like the first several songs played in a row and on repeat.
Posts: 551 | Location: California | Registered: 06 March 2008
Ok, after a few more listens I have to admit this album is better than I initially gave it credit for. I still like the raw, spastic nature of their S/T, but the more linear approach of these new songs actually holds some appeal. And the added emphasis on layered guitars and electronics to go along with the bruising percussion that defines their sound helps to set them apart from the groups they emulate. Even though I'd still rate them several notches below the likes of Boredoms and Liars.
Will it make my top 20? Not sure. Depends on how strongly the year finishes off and if the album continues to grow on me.
Originally posted by Portable Joystick: Ok, after a few more listens I have to admit this album is better than I initially gave it credit for. I still like the raw, spastic nature of their S/T, but the more linear approach of these new songs actually holds some appeal. And the added emphasis on layered guitars and electronics to go along with the bruising percussion that defines their sound helps to set them apart from the groups they emulate. Even though I'd still rate them several notches below the likes of Boredoms and Liars.
Will it make my top 20? Not sure. Depends on how strongly the year finishes off and if the album continues to grow on me.
Well, Boredoms and Liars are a lot to live up to, that much I'll admit. But still, pretty solid record, and honestly one I don't think sounds all that much like those two bands.
Originally posted by cuneyt81: Well, Boredoms and Liars are a lot to live up to, that much I'll admit. But still, pretty solid record, and honestly one I don't think sounds all that much like those two bands.
Yeah, that's what I'm saying. They still aren't on par with those groups, but the fact that they've crafted a more distinguishable sound is definitely this record's biggest attribute over their debut.
Considering the hype P4k has piled on this release, their final review was surprisingly mediocre. I'd have to say, though, that I personally love this album to death +.
